Page 16 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride (Duchesses of Convenience #7)

Chapter Sixteen

M agnus shifted uncomfortably under the reproachful gaze of his grandmother. In most instances, the two got on famously, and she was perhaps the most important person in his life. But under the current circumstances, it felt as if she knew what it was that she had just interrupted.

The urge to adjust himself was near uncontrollable, and it was all Magnus could do to keep his hands folded firmly on his lap.

“This is a most unexpected surprise, grandmother,” Magnus said in an effort to dispel the discomfort that he was feeling.

“Hopefully a pleasant one,” she responded. “I trust I am not interrupting anything.” She looked between Magnus and Diana, the slightest smirk on her lips surely coincidental and nothing more.

Magnus shared a quick glance with his wife. She was blushing furiously, unable to meet his grandmother’s eyes. He felt sorry for her. The suddenness of this visit. How unprepared she was for it. The harshness of his grandmother when she was in one of her moods.

Poor Diana, I wish I could have better prepared her, because if I know my grandmother like I do, she doesn’t stand a chance.

“Not at all,” Magnus said. “We were playing a game with the children. Nothing that cannot wait.”

“A game?” his grandmother asked. “What of their studies?”

“It was a bit of both,” Diana spoke up finally. “The day is too lovely to waste, so I thought we might spend it outdoors together.” To that, Magnus’ grandmother raised an eyebrow and Diana faulted. “Ah... studying still, of course. But with a little bit of fun.”

“I was not aware that studying was meant to be fun.”

“Grandmother...” Magnus sighed.

“No, no,” his grandmother dismissed. “Please, do tell. What was this game that you were all playing? I would love to hear it. How things have changed since my day.”

Magnus shared a quick look with Diana again. He knew his grandmother well enough to know that she was not nearly as scary as she was trying to present herself. Likely, this was nothing more than a test... although to what end, he couldn’t imagine.

“Oh, you wouldn’t be interested,” Diana said, waving her down. Magnus’ eyes turned wide, certain his grandmother would not appreciate the gesture. “It involves running and hiding and laughter. Truly, I was surprised enough that Magnus was keen – you know how he is. I can’t imagine that you would care for such things.”

Magnus’ mouth dropped to the floor. He sputtered stupidly, caught between trying to defend his grandmother, caught between trying to defend his wife, and caught between standing down and letting the two at it because he was certain this was about to descend into a match of the titans.

Most shockingly, it became no such thing.

“Careful with this one, Magnus,” she tittered and wagged her finger at Diana. “A rose is a beautiful thing, but they come with thorns.” She tittered further. “And a sharp tongue, to boot.” She smiled at Diana. “I see you’ve managed to assert yourself as the master of this household without delay. And in record time.”

Diana shrugged. “It was no big thing. Magnus has quite the bark, but his bite is a pitiful thing.”

Magnus’ grandmother laughed again and shook her head in amusement. “That it is. That it is.”

“Now just a minute,” Magnus said to assert his authority because he could sense himself being ganged up on. He might not have understood how it had happened, but that didn’t mean he was going to allow it. “I do not know what this is, but I would ask that I not be treated like a dolt in my own home. Is that understood?”

He raised an eyebrow at both women, hoping that would put the matter to be. Unsurprisingly, they shared an amused look between themselves, giggling silently like a couple of schoolgirls.

To this, Magnus stared in bewilderment. Unsure exactly what to make of this little alliance. As far as he was aware, this was the first proper time that the two were meeting, yet they spoke like old friends. What was more, it was a friendship seemingly borne from putting down Magnus because, as he had learned many times, when it came to powerful women, nobody was safe. Himself, especially.

They met his grandmother in the sitting room, where she had greeted them without standing, happy to remain by the window as she soaked in the early morning sun. Tea was sent for, yet to arrive, while excuses had been made as to the reason for their lateness.

As to Josephine and Adeline? They were still hiding, likely unaware of their great-grandmother's visit. But Miss Brooks had been sent to find them, for which Magnus was wholly apologetic.

“I suppose you are wondering then why I have paid this most untimely visit.”

“Not untimely at all,” Magnus hurried, hoping to assert himself back into the conversation without mockery. “You know that you are always welcome here, Grandmother.”

She rolled her eyes. “My backside is for sitting, not for kissing, Magnus. So please, treat it thusly.”

His face dropped, and then his lip curled. “Now, really...”

“My reason is twofold. First and foremost, I wished to see how this marriage was getting along. I know it has been less than a week, but in my personal experience, the first week is oft the most important. It is when reality sets in and the previously happy couple are forced to reckon with the reality that they will be spending their lives together. Sometimes, it’s during that first week when the fantasies about how one might kill the other while making it look like an accident begin to become commonplace.”

“Grandmother!”

“Just joking,” she waved him down and then winked at Diana, who giggled. “But really, pray do tell. How is everything? I have my own opinions, of course, based on what I am seeing...” She raised an eyebrow and looked between the two. “But I am willing to be proven wrong.”

Magnus and Diana were sharing the same couch, sitting beside one another but not holding hands or even touching. Although, to be fair, that was more on account of the awkwardness coming from what they had just been doing, and a desire not to promulgate Magnus’ arousal.

But as she spoke, Magnus automatically reached for Diana’s hand. She took it and the two shared a smile, one which didn’t feel forced, because it wasn’t. If the question had been asked even an hour ago, who knew what answer they might have given. Now, however...

“Everything is going splendidly,” Magnus said.

“Wonderfully, would have been my wording,” Diana added, her smile growing as she looked at Magnus again. “But splendidly will do.”

Of course, that was only a half-truth, but Magnus felt it was one that was justified. Where their marriage was far from perfect, and neither seemed to know what they expected or wanted in the long run, they were at the very least on the same page finally about this, and willing to try and make this marriage of convenience work.

Diana was the most open, without a doubt. And Magnus, still struggling to overcome his desire for secrecy and his loathing for speaking about his past.... well, he was going to try his best. And that was a victory, anyway one looked at it.

“Good,” his grandmother said with a satisfied nod. “From my eyes, things look...” She shrugged. “Honestly, who can even say? The fact that the two of you were hiding in the bushes when I arrived, however, is a pretty darn good sign if I must say so.” She smirked proudly, and Diana and Magnus blushed furiously.

Ah... well, this is officially the most awkward moment of my life.

“As to the second reason that I came to see you.” His grandmother folded her arms and turned serious again. “I wish to know if you plan on attending the Truscott Ball this coming Friday.”

The question caught Magnus by surprise. “The Truscott Ball?”

“Hosted at Lord Truscott’s estate,” his grandmother explained as if that was the cause of confusion. “It is the first major event held since your wedding and I believe that the two of you ought to attend – it is expected, in fact. And if you are not seen...” She looked knowingly at Magnus. “It will raise questions.”

“And I care what other people think?” Magnus dismissed.

“You should.”

“I was not even aware of it,” Diana spoke up and looked at Magnus. “Were you?”

Magnus shrugged. “I had heard something to that effect, but I hadn’t taken much notice.” The truth was, Magnus did know of the upcoming ball and had already decided that he would not be going. He had always hated balls and galas and the idea of attending and being watched and judged by every man and his dog was enough to curl his lip. Which he did do, for his grandmother’s sake.

“Oh...” Diana blinked, frowning also. “I... it might not be such a bad thing to attend? It might even be fun.”

“Fun?” Magnus scoffed. “Believe me when I tell you, it will be anything but fun.” He could see this wasn’t the answer his wife wished for, and he knew that to go with her would signal what he had just promised, that he would try harder. And he would do. Only, not with this.

“Do not take it personally, dear,” his grandmother interjected. “Magnus has never been one for socialites. However, just because he does not wish to go, does not mean you ought to remain home.”

“Really?” Diana sat herself up.

“What was that?” Magnus said.

“You are a duchess now,” his grandmother explained. “Certain things are expected of you, chief among them is representation. If Magnus wishes to remain home and sulk --”

“I am not sulking.”

“-- it behooves you to attend. At the very least you will be able to dissuade the unfounded rumors that are sure to flow if neither of you are there.”

“And it will not be considered odd?” Diana asked, and Magnus could hear the curiosity in her voice. The excitement also. “If I was to attend on my own?”

“Not at all,” his grandmother said.

Magnus could see what was happening. His grandmother liked to play the simpleton, but she was so keenly aware that their marriage wasn’t nearly as wonderful as they had both claimed. By driving this wedge between them, she hoped to force his hand, pushing him to attend, strengthening their marriage from afar because his grandmother loved to play politics.

But he would not budge. Magnus did not appreciate being manipulated like this, and dammit if he wasn’t a little angry now at being treated this way in his own home.

“I think I will go,” Diana said predictably. She then looked at Magnus, raising an eyebrow. “That is, of course, if my husband does not object?”

“Not even a little,” he said stiffly.

“Wonderful,” his grandmother said, looking mighty pleased with herself. “I was hoping you would say as much, for now my plans tomorrow will not go to waste.”

“Plans tomorrow?” Magnus’ stomach twisted, sensing a new scheme.

“Shopping, dear,” his grandmother said with a satisfied smile and a triumphant look in her eyes. “If Her Grace is to attend the Truscott Ball, her first outing as a duchess, she ought to look her best. And I intend to ensure the fact. Your Grace...” She shifted forward in her chair, looking directly at Diana and cutting Magnus out entirely. “Will you join me on a trip into London tomorrow so we might purchase a new gown for the evening.”

“I would love that,” Diana said with a little too much excitement. “Of course...” She then looked at Magnus, a smirk because she knew the answer to her coming question. “If my husband does not mind?”

Magnus suppressed a groan. Diana going to the ball without him was one thing, but spending a day alone with his grandmother was another entirely. He knew his grandmother well enough to know that this was about more than shopping, that she wanted to size Diana up and see what she was made of. Further to that point, she would want to ensure that Diana properly knew the man whom she had married.

It would be a day of gossip and personal revelations and all of Magnus’ efforts to conceal his past would be for nothing. Maybe it would have been best if he’d just agreed to going to this ball in the first place?

“I welcome it,” he said with a forced smile. “It will be good for the two of you to better know one another.”

“I could not agree more,” his grandmother said.